Unbeaten Crawford stakes 2 crowns

LOS ANGELES (AFP) – Terence Crawford puts his World Boxing Organization and World Boxing Association super lightweight titles on the line in Omaha, Nebraska, on Saturday against big-punching John Molina, who showed his mettle in June in an upset win over Ruslan Provodnikov.

Unbeaten Crawford, the Boxing Writers Association of America fighter of the year in 2014, has two victories already on his resume in 2016, taking his record to 29-0 (20 knockouts) with a fifth-round technical knockout of Henry Lundy in February and a unanimous decision over Viktor Postol in Las Vegas in July.

The 29-year-old will be a heavy favorite in front of his hometown fans against 33-year-old Molina, despite the Californian’s impressive win over former titlist Provodnikov that took his record to 29-6 with 23 knockouts.

“You’ve got to be careful with the type of guys that throw wild punches and come in with their head,’’ Crawford told USA Today. “He’s a strong puncher. He’s upset a lot of people and he’s hurt a lot of people.’’

Nevertheless, Crawford is already envisioning a victory.

“I did a number on Hank Lundy, the kind that nobody else was able to do,’’ Crawford told ESPN. “I unified the title against Postol, a guy everybody said was almost as good as I was. I am an undefeated champion and was fighting a guy (Postol) coming off a knockout win against (Lucas) Matthysse and I totally dominated him.

“Now I’m fighting another guy coming off an impressive win, a number one contender, and a win over him should convince people that I am fighter of the year.’’

Crawford was one of the fighters being considered to take on Manny Pacquiao before the Filipino champion chose Mexican Jessie Vargas last month.